Dangers of Asbestos Exposure 

Chicago mesothelioma lawyers

The Chicago personal injury lawyers of Phillips Law Offices have often assisted clients injured by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral fiber used in a number of fields—including construction, manufacturing, and mining. Asbestos exposure is linked to a variety of health problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. The health effects of occupational asbestos usually appear 20 to 30 years after exposure, but can appear sooner or even later.

Occupations with the highest rates of asbestos exposure

• Construction: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Asbestos can be found in pipe and furnace insulation, textured paints, and asbestos shingles in older homes. The demolition and removal of materials containing asbestos is an especially high-risk form of exposure.

• Manufacturing: Asbestos poses an occupational risk in the area of manufacturing, including the shipbuilding and automotive industries. Before the ban on many forms of asbestos, workers at manufacturing plants producing building materials, textiles, insulation, and various other products were subjected to asbestos exposure.

• Mining: Many asbestos mineral miners were exposed to large doses of asbestos before the Environmental Protection Agency banned mining for most forms of asbestos in 1989. Because inhalation of asbestos creates the highest occupational health risk, mining is especially devastating.

If you work in the fields of construction, manufacturing or mining and have been exposed to asbestos, you should speak with a Chicago mesothelioma lawyer immediately.

Some diseases associated with asbestos exposure

Asbestosis is a serious respiratory disease caused by the reaction of the body to inhaled asbestos fibers. It causes shortness of breath, especially upon exertion. The severity of the disease depends on the amount of asbestos inhaled by the patient. Advanced cases can lead to respiratory failure. There is no curative treatment for asbestosis.

Patients with asbestosis are more likely to develop certain malignancies such as mesothelioma, which is similar to black lung disease. It is a serious type of cancer. It develops in the lining tissues of the body, most noticeably in the tissues that cover the lungs.

A Chicago asbestos lawyer can talk about your rights and discuss your potential mesothelioma lawsuit.

Serving injured individuals and families in Illinois for over 65 years

If you have been exposed to asbestos, you can turn to the Chicago attorneys at Phillips Law Offices to learn more about your rights when you face serious health issues such as black lung disease. Call us at (312) 470-6761, or contact us online today for a free consultation with one of our Chicago mesothelioma lawyers about your case.